Wire-stretcher.



P. McMILLAN.

WIRE STRETOHER.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 10, 1911. 1,035,028. Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER M MILLAN, OF MONANGO, NORTH DAKOTA.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER MoMILLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Monango, in the county of Dickey and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to wire stretchers, and more particularly to that class of wire stretchers that are used for wire fences and the like.

The objects of this invention are to provide a wire stretcher which can be mounted on practically any kind of post, and to provide means whereby the various parts of the stretcher can be adjusted to meet the conditions, required by the various size posts, their rake, and other characteristics commonly met with in practice.

A further object of this invention is to arrange the pulling parts so that they will pull the wire in a straight line and not wind the same up on a Windlass, as in the common form of wire stretcher, which has many objectionable features, in that it spoils the end portion of the wire and also increases the size of the device required to do this work.

A further object of this invention is to have the stretcher of small, durable, and inexpensive construction, at the same time being very efficient in the class of work intended for it to do.

Other objects of this invention will be come apparent as it is more fully set forth.

In the device that is embodied in this invention means are provided whereby the stretcher will readily adjust itself to any shape, or rake of post, which thereby permits the stretcher to be used under all conditions, at the same time means are provided whereby the means that are attached to the post for holding the stretcher in place, can be readily adjusted to fit any ordinary size of post met with in ordinary use.

The arrangement of the device is such that its pulling action will continue in a direct and straight line in the same plane, parallel to the line or fence that is to be stretched so that there is little likelihood of the fence being unevenly stretched, as is often the case.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example Figure 1 rep- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 10, 1911.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

Serial No. 637,658.

resents a view in elevation of a wire stretcher embodying this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a detail of the members which are arranged to be mounted on the post.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

Tn the construction shown in the drawings 1 and 2 are curved plates adapted to fit on an ordinary post and are provided at one of each of their end portions with a slotted portion 3 and 1 which is preferably of the shape shown in the drawings, in order that the chains 5 and 6 secured to the other ends of these plates, may secure their links thereon, so as to tighten the plates to the post on which it is mounted. The lengthof the chain is such that it can be adjusted around the various size posts met with in ordinary use. Rigidly secured to the middle portions of the plates are the rods 7 and 8 which are hooked on their outer ends 9 and 10, so that the member 11 that is provided with hooks or links at its ends 12 and 13 may engage with the hooks 9 and 10 and keep the rods in a desired alinement. The size of the hooks and links is such as to permit an easy pivoted movement of the parts just mentioned. Mounted on the rods is a plate member 14 which is preferably constructed of a flat piece of metal bent upon itself, and has its lower portion fastened securely in position by means of a rivet or bolt 15. The upper portion 16 of this plate is enlarged sufficiently to permit the rod 7 to move suitably therein, and the lower portion 17 of the plate is provided with another enlarged portion to permit the lower rod 8 to move suitably therein.

In order to secure a flat hook 18, there is provided a bolt 19 in the central portion of the plate 1 1 and which also holds the slotted rack 2 which is arranged to engage with a pinion 21 disposed above it, and which is actuated in any suitable manner but preferably by a handle 22 that is secured to it and supports it in the plate 1 1.

Secured to the end of the rack 20 is a plate 23 having a pair of projecting ends 24 and adapted to engage in the post on which the stretcher is mounted.

The end of the hook piece 18 is provided with an attachment 25 adapted to receive the end portion of a chain 26 that has a hook disposed at its end arranged to engage with a wire clamp 28 and thereby pull the same when the rack is moved in the proper direction.

In operation, the device is placed upon the post which is to take up the pulling strain involved when the stretcher is actuated. The curved plates 1 and 2 are placed in engagement with the outer surface of the post opposite to that whichthe wireto be pulled is disposed, and the chains 5 and 6 are wrapped around the post and one of their links is slipped into the end portions 3 and 4t of the plates so as to lock the chain securely in position, and give a secure hold to the post for the wire stretcher.

Should the post be at an angle, or rake as it is usually called, the rods 7 and 8 will dispose the member 11 in parallel alinement to the rake of the post. The rack has the piece 23 at its end portion disposed in the post, and against the pull put on the chain and a hook 18, by the wire being stretched. By actuating the handle 22 the pinion is turned and engages with the teeth on the rack 20, and causes the plate 14 to move outwardly from the post, at the same time a stretching strain is puton the hook 18, the chain and remain ing hook and also the clamp, that is secured to the fence, so that the same is stretched. A ter suficient strain is put upon the wire, and the same is in the proper alinement the operator stops turning the handle and properly securesthe wire to the post.

In order to prevent the rack from sliding back when the handle is temporarily let go by the operator, a pawlQT is provided to engage with the teeth of the rack 14 as shown in Fig. 1 so as to prevent this backward motion.

It will be noticed that the slot provided in the rack permits the same to assume prac-' tically any angular'positio-n, which thereby permits this device to be used with any rake of post without obstructing its proper action, as can be readily seen inthe drawlngs. v

Obviously, While there is shown but one modification of this invention in the draw- Copies of this patent may be obtained for ings it is not desired to limit this invention to that particular form, nor in any way otherwise than necessitated by the prior art, as many modifications in the construction of this invention may be made Without cleparting from the principles thereof.

Having thus described this invention it is claimed:

1. A wire stretcher comprising in combination a plurality of post engaging plates, a plurality of rods secured to said plates, a toothed rack disposed between said rods, a main plate having its end portions arranged to engage with said rods and its central portions to embrace said rack so that it'will be guided thereby, a pinion secured to said plate and arranged to engage with said toothed rack, a hooked piece secured to said plate so as to be actuated therewith, a pawl disposed on said main plate arranged to engage with the teeth of said rack and an abutting member disposed on said rack and arranged for engagement with a post. a

2. A wire stretcher comprising in combination a plurality otpost engaging plates, a plurality of rods secured to said plates, a toothed rack disposed between said rods, a main plate having its end portions arranged to engagewith said rods and its central portion to embrace said rack so that itwill be guided thereby, a pinion secured to said plate and arranged to engage with said toothed rack, a hooked piece secured to said plate so as to be actuated therewith, a pawl disposed on said main plate arranged to engage with the teeth of said rack, an abut ting member disposed on said rack and arranged to engage with a post, chains secured to the first mentioned plates and arranged to hook thereon, so as to hold the same securely in position, and means for securing the endportions of said rods together.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atliX my signature in the presence of two Witnesses. PETER MoMILLAN. "Witnesses:

A. A. SUszYoKI, S. L. DAvIs.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of 'Patents, Washington, D. C. i 

